Why Hire Robert M. Helfend?

Main menu

Los Angeles Fraud Defense Attorney

Fraud Defense Attorney in Los Angeles

“Mr. Helfend absolutely saved my bacon. After finding myself charged with fraud, I was terrified. I have never been introduced to the legal system from this side before, and it was unsettling. However, Robert was able to calm me down and help me figure out my situation. He even got the case dropped before trial! I don’t want to be in another situation where I need a criminal defense lawyer, but if I ever am, I know who I will call!”Pete, CA

Fraud charges are no joke. I take your defense seriously. White collar crime such as

bank fraud

credit card fraud

tax evasion

insider trading bankruptcy fraud

internet fraud

securities fraud

welfare fraud

Get their share of jokes in television shows and movies, but these are serious matters. Fraud typically involves signing another person’s name to any legal document, giving someone a false check or false financial document, or writing a bad check.If you have been charged with fraud in the Los Angeles area, your best option is to hire an attorney who understands how to use restitution as a tradeoff for jail time or other serious penalties. If a prosecutor can show that you intended to defraud someone- that is enough to convict you. The majority of the time, it doesn’t matter if the victim wasn’t actually defrauded or if you repaid what you took.

In a recent news story, one California woman was charged with seven counts of wire fraud, four counts of mail fraud, nine counts of bank fraud and ten counts of money laundering after running a $2 million surrogacy scheme. She now faces up to 60 years in federal prison and $2 million in fines. In another shocking news article, 107 individuals were recently charged in Washington for “fraudulently billing Medicare out of nearly half a billion dollars.” The Medicare claims these individuals made totaled $452 million.

In my experience, prosecutors are aware that throwing an employed head of a family in jail for a nonviolent crime such as internet fraud or forgery is not in the best interest of society. My objective is always to push for a payment plan that meets everyone’s needs, and keeps you out of jail. If you’ve been wrongfully accused of fraud, I will fight to the end to seek a dismissal of all charges against you. With more than 20 years of experience as a Los Angeles fraud defense attorney and the resources to properly handle your case, I am confident in my ability to help you.

Penalties

If you are convicted of taking less than $200 and have no previous convictions, typically this will classify as a misdemeanor. A prosecutor ultimately decides whether your charge should be considered a misdemeanor or a felony. If you are a previous offender, you could face harsher consequences. California law imposes a white collar embellishment, which enhances penalties for a track record of felonies. If you are convicted of at least two counts or if you have two previous convictions, you could have two to five years added to your sentence.

In order to establish fraudulent behavior, it must be proven that: the defendant made a false statement; he / she knew the statement was false; the defendant intended to deceive the victim; the victim relied on the statement; and injury to the victim occurred. Fraud can be a difficult thing to establish, because not all false statements are fraudulent: a statement of fact that is mistaken is not fraudulent. While fraud is similar to theft, it also involves the pretense of inducing a victim to entrust you with his / her property or financial wealth. Because fraud involves more planning, it is typically punished more severely.

Facing fraud charges? Get Help

Whether they involve one dollar or one million dollars, many forms of fraud are federal crimes. Punishment for a federal crime can be effected by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual (Guidelines). A sentence range can be computed using different criteria contained in the Guidelines.

Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

You need an experienced criminal defense attorney who is familiar with the use and function of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines in order to obtain the most favorable outcome possible. I have handled many cases dealing with federal prosecutors, including fraud. I know how to avoid the pitfalls that are part of the guidelines, as well as how to prevent overzealous federal prosecutors from piling on charges that lead to stiffer penalties. Contact Robert Helfend today to receive the help you need! The firm handles fraud cases in Federal Court jurisdictions throughout the U.S.

Find Us on BBB.org

The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.